The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-01

| as having orce been talked about OF course
| this flock of admirers did not tend to make the
women love her any better. Neither the maid:
| the matroDs could regard her as anything
but the enemy of their when they hel
| surrounded by cloud of lieutenants, while cap
tains. and majors. and colonies lowered in the
outskirts. and poor Marjorie was frightened and
| annoyed by it all, but carried brave front over
| her sinking heart
IF they'd only keep away for tonight" she
| thought as she stood before here glass pinning a
bunch of Parma violets into her white wool
gown But there was no such good luck Pain
and excitement. and the strong necessity OF
keeping her head well uD toward the world then
/ IL ever, had brought briliance to her eye and
brightness to her cheek that made her beauti-
/ full Her powdered hair enhanced the darkness
! of her eyes and narrow, well-marked eyebrows.
4 and she around her neck tho diamond
pendant that was Major Standifords wedding
| gift. and was not put for slight occasions.
by Georgei amt she stunning tonight" re-
/ marked the liAutenants to one another, she
/ entered the ballroom. and by the time she had
reached the spot where Mrs. Meyriok resplend-
ent her red and gold. stood, she had train
! after her. Major Sandford felt her hand trem
BILE on his arm. Even with him present, inter
views with Mrs. Meyrlck we're of trying nat
Mrs. Mevrick extended the tips of four gloved
fingers to Mrs Standiford to which Mrs. Standi-
ford. summoning all that was left of once high
spirit, responded with a bow as slight Mrs.
Meyrick's. The Major, however was gushingly
received
80 glad to see YOU Colonel. here's Major
dered. after all.
1t is hard for a man to check womans po-
likeness. matter how meant. Major Standi-
ford, however, gave Mrs Meyrick a look
which. although it did not intimidate that re-
doubtable lady brought the Colonel out from
somewhere in the recesses of Madam's train.
The Colonel was a good soul, though timid. but
he saw it wouldn't do to try the Major too far.
"Delighted 10 see you, Mrs. Stamford" he
observed.
Major, won't you allow me to take Mrs.
Stamford Come
at the decorations. What amazingly pretty
gown you've got on" and the Colonel, repeating
the mistake of all the other men of feeling,
tucked Mrs Stamford under his arm and
marched off
Mrs Meyrick and Major Stamford stood still
and glared at each other. But each was wary.
Mrs. Meyrck's weapon for striking the wife
adulation TO the husband The Major replied in
monosyHables. but nobody could say he
not strictly attentive to all Mrs Meyrick was
saying.
why weren't you at the tennis tournament
she asked.
Il hate tennis" was the Majors sententious
Mrs. Meyrick laughed. 81 remember when
you were the beau general of the post and didn't
miss anything"
I'm domestic man now" said the Major,
with a smile in which there was mirth.
''Ah, that's what they all say replied Mrs.
Meyrick wagging her head playfully But
don't allow Colonel Mevrick to urge that as
sufficient excuse"
Colonel Meyrick isn't under good discipline,
shouldn't allow him to insubordinate that way"
Under the powder Major Standiford the
hot blood rush into Mrs. Meyrick's handsome
face He would not willingly have hurt fy
but he stabbed back with keen delight the
woman who had stabbed his Marjorie. Every
body knew who commanded the commandant.
Then he followed ii up.
Wont you take my arm for a turn9" he asker,
and before she knew it, Mrs Meyrick
strolling around the room on Major Standiford's
arm. That meant that Mrs. Stamford could
IN IN
the Colonel WAS stiff and starched where he
dared to be, that Majore would not be molested
both Colonel and Mrs. Meyrick heard, besides
numbers of other persons. that after the ball
Major and Mrs Standiford were to take night
train for visit to Major Standiford's aunt-but
that Major Standiford would return-and the
news came from the fountain head.
Tho ball. like all military balls. pretty
one. The band crashed merrily. Young fellows
with red stripes down their legs, and others with
yellow stripes down their legs, waltzed and
polkaed, ard old fellows with red and yellow
striped legs also stood around and conversed
sagey with the dowagers. Marjorie danced
almost necessarily. She had reflected that she
could only dance with one at a time, while
il she sat down she could not prevent half a
dozen congregating around her chair-and for
her. then, she would cheerfuly have given all
their lives for the Majors little finger. The
Major walked through quadrille two with a
wall fower-he was tender hearted to
when they allowed him TO be-and listened as
attentiyely to her mature gush if that night
forever. The Major, too. was proud man. He
hated and feared the bandying of his
we'll as his wifes name at the officers
and the women's tea-tables. But he was also
brave aud true, and it could turn him from
his course.
1t was getting on toward midnight when sup
per was announced. The poor Major had gone
through it all, but toward the last his courage
failed him. They were to leave a train which
passed at 2 o'clock. He could not bear to give
up that last two hours to all the popinjays and
idlers who futtereG around Marjorie. They had
agreedato leave tho hall l o'clock. SO that
Marjorie might change her gown. and they only
had fifty yards to walk to the little way station
But the Majors heart began to ache too intoler-
ably. Marjorie was on her way to supper on
Colonel Meyrck's arm when Major Standiford
stopped her
II don't want to interrupt your enjoyment
but do you think it's quite safe to leave ourselves
go little time-we might miss the train," he said,
lamely enough.
II think we'd better go now" answered Mar
jorie, hurriedly. disengaging her arm. ''It is
very little time" she added, in trembling
voice. "A very, very little time, indeed"
why this is perfectly preposterous," cried
the Colonel. kindly who suspected that Major
and Mrs. Standiford hadn't had any too good
time, and with the usual laundering or mascu-
line good will, thought it we'll to prolong the az
oav. You really can't and shant 60 Major,
as your superior officer, l insist that you shan't
break up the ball this way. Come, Mrs Standi-
But must mind him." said Marjorie, with
little, piteous smile And what he saws is
very true. you Kno" LII De gone some Time,
she said steadying her voice. The Major turned
a little away when she said this. Sorry to hear
it-but you'll return blooming
than before calamity reblied Colonel Meyrck,
who was complimentary, not to say tlowery,
when Mrs Meyrick's back was turned.
80" said Marjorie, holding out slim
hand "Ill say real good bye. There
many others that L can't say good bye to-and
You'll tell them-I didn't like break up the
ball You've been very kind to me-" she said
with sudden impulse. and then stopped short.
Was she indeed going away2 And was this the
last time she could hold up her head and look
the world bravey in the facet The Colonel
all sorts of polite things, and pres
emily she slipped away, and she and Major
Standiford walked arm and arm in the darkness
along the road where Mrs. Meyrick had stopped
the Major few days before. They scarcely
spoke They were not yet familiar enough
with their trouble to speak of it.
The Major opened the door, and they went
into the little sitting-room, where some of their
happiest hours had been passed The embers